State of Play is what PlayStation’s mini press conferences has evolved into (it’s Sony’s version of the Nintendo Direct); this one focuses on Japanese publishers, so we’re cautiously optimistic about what we’re about to see! Hopefully it’s not a bunch of western-focused games from Japanese publishers (for example, Square Enix) but we are about to find out!
Exoprimal
It is 2043 and there is a dinosaur outbreak. You heard that right, I said dinosaur outbreak. They’re coming out of these dark portals in droves. Special suits keep humans safe. Exoprimal, by Capcom, will be released for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in 2023. (It will also release for PC via Steam, Xbox Series, and Xbox One).
Ghostwire: Tokyo
Someone is harvesting human souls to connect this world to another, so of course he must be stopped. Ghostwire: Tokyo features some very creepy smiling spirit enemies. Apparently we’ll be hunting for the truth and facing the unknown soon enough: it is available for PlayStation 5 on March 25. The game is developed by Tango Gameworks, a Japanese developer… but it is published by Bethesda, a very much non-Japanese publisher. We’re two games deep and Sony has already abandoned the “Japanese publishers” theme.
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin demo incoming
It’s a really big demo (nearly 40 GB) but it at least should transfer to the full game. Developed by Koei Tecmo and Quare Enix, and published by (yep) Square Enix, Strange of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin will be released on March 15. And I just realised how soon that is!
Forspoken
This trailer shows Frey being pushed to her limit in Athia. Magic-enhanced combat and parkour skills are a must to survive the lurking creatures. Forspoken is developed by Luminous Productions and published by (you guessed it) Square Enix. It was recently delayed to October 11, when it will launch for PlayStation 5.
Gundam Evolution
Gundam Evolution is an online first-person team-based shooter that was first revealed last July. It features multiple modes: Point Capture, Domination, and Destruction. Developed and published by Bandai Namco, Gundam Evolution is coming to PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. It’s worth noting it’s a free-to-play title, and will also be available for PC, Xbox Series, and Xbox One.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection
Cowabunga, dude! This collection of old-school TMNT games will be released later this year and includes thirteen previously-released games released for arcade, NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and Gameboy. It is published by Konami and will be released for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 later this year.
GigaBash
A new form of energy has been discovered, calling forth ancient terrors and causing monsters to rise worldwide. This brawler can be played by up to four players, but only one can be king. Play as monsters or heroes while discovering the secrets of their origin. Developed and published by Passion Republic Games, GigaBash will be released for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 later this year. (Technically, Passion Republic Games is Malaysian, not Japanese, but I love to see it included regardless).
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R
Based on the infamous manga series, this is a fan-favourite fighting game’s bizarre and beautiful return that featuring 50 playable characters. Assemble the inherited bloodline and show your resolve; basically, beat the crap out of each other. Developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R will be released in Q3 for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 (and, unrelated to the State of Play, it will also come to PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One).
Trek to Yomi
A young swordsman vows to his dying master that he will protect his town and the people he loves from any and all threats. He must voyage beyond life and death to decide his path. Developed by Flying Wild Hog and published by Devolver Digital (another very non-Japanese publisher), Treak to Yomi will be released soon for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. (Again, there are more platforms available not mentioned since the presentation is PlayStation-branded: it will also come to PC, Xbox Series, and Xbox One).
Returnal – Ascension
Update 3.0 is a free update for Returnal, titled Ascension. It adds a co-op mode and The Tower of Sisyphus, an ascending gauntlet of increasingly difficult phases, each with twenty floors. Developed by Housemarque and published by Sony, Returnal’s Ascension update will be available later this month.
The DioField Chronicle
The DioField Chronicle is the first of two brand new games from… Square Enix. Called it. At least there’s only four total. (Okay, that’s actually pretty bad considering the small number of games featured). It is a new tactical RPG that promises a deep and engaging storyline. There is a new “real time tactical battle” (RTTB) system. We know for sure it is published by Square Enix, and I would guess it is also the developer. The DioField Chronicle will be released for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 later this year. (It is also coming to PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One.)
Valkyrie Elysium
That’s right, it’s a new entry to the Valkyrie series! A young Valkyrie is trusted with the fate of the world by the highest of gods. She will need to use weapons, magic, and her allies to prevent Ragnarok, AKA the destruction of the world. Developed and published by Square Enix, Valkyrie Elysium will be released for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 later this year. (It is also coming to PC via Steam.)
And that’s it for this State of Play! Hopefully everyone saw something that interests them – ironically enough, I’m most interested in a Square Enix title: The DioField Chronicle. I’ve included any other platforms I could, but there are still some unknowns at time of publishing so there’s a good chance most of these games are not PlayStation-exclusive.
